Don’t hold back at this Japanese grill. Order everything

Raku is the place to go for an authentic Japanese grill experience in the entire city—no, the entire country. The two dining rooms are small and intimate; in the front room, you’ll be sitting a stone’s throw from the sushi bar. The binchotan charcoal is imported from Japan, as are all of the condiments. Order everything you can fit on the table (the grilling is done in the kitchen, and each dish is small but shareable). Start with the shishito peppers, bacon-wrapped enoki mushroom, and chicken breast wrapped in extra chicken skin for maximum crispiness. The more adventurous among your group will want to get hit over the head with flavor by the chewy Kobe beef tendon, as well as the crunchy pig’s ear and intestines. Ask for another bottle from the extensive sake list; you’re going to be here for a while.

PRO TIP: Oh, did we mention that the agedashi (deep-fried) tofu is house-made? You’ll be needing some.